This year, Chinese New Year fell on February 8th and 2016 will be the year of the Monkey, the 9th animal in the 12th year cycle.
Legend has it that in ancient times Buddha (or the Jade Emperor) called upon all of the animals to help him distinguish time into the twelve years of the cycle, and as a reward, Buddha would name a year after each of them. In order to establish a sequence, Buddha devised a race across a river, and the years were allocated to the first twelve animals based on the order in which they finished the race. The outcome? In short, the Ox was all set to take first place had he not been pipped to the post by the cunning rat who had hitched a ride across the river in the Ox’s ear only to jump clear just before the finish line to take the honour.
Depending on the year you are born, you are believed to share the various personality traits of that year’s animal. In China, your date of birth is not as important as the year in which a person is born, and so if you want to know a persons age, you ask for their Chinese Zodiac animal.
Look for your year below and see if you possess some of the qualities and traits of the animal you were born under. The characteristics can both help and hinder and so the purpose is you should build on the better ones and overcome the bad ones.
RAT
Birth year 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008. You are charming, picky, ambitious and bright. You are adventurous and deep thinking. You get along well with Dragons and Monkeys. Stay away from Horses!
OX
Birth year 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009. You are patient, hardworking and dependable. You are trustworthy and like to follow rules. Your friends are the Snake and the Rooster. Your opposite is the Goat.
TIGER
Birth year 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010. You are powerful, aggressive and courageous. You can also be rebellious and unpredictable but at the same time protective and sympathetic. The Dog and the Horse are your best signs. The Monkey is trouble.
RABBIT
Birth year 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011. The Rabbit is considered the luckiest of the Chinese Zodiac animals. You are affectionate, virtuous and kind. You are sensitive to beauty and aim for peace in your life. You are most compatible with the Goat and the Pig. Your opposite is the Rooster.
Dragon
Birth year 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012. The Dragon was a symbol of Imperial power in ancient China; and Chinese consider it a great honor to be born in this year of the dragon. Dragons are full of strength and energy and are always on the go. You are powerful, wealthy and wise. Look to the Monkey or the Rat, watch out for Dogs.
Snake
Birth year 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013. Snakes are determined, wise and intense. You are vain and inclined towards physical beauty. Befriend the Rooster and the Ox but not the Pig.
Horse
Birth year 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014. Horses are popular and very attractive, talkative and sometimes showy and impatient. You get along with Tigers and Dogs but never with Rats.
Sheep/Goat
Birth year 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015. Sheep/goats are creative, elegant, tender and sympathetic but sometimes shy. The Ox is trouble. Rabbits and Pigs are OK.
Monkey
Birth year 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016. Monkeys are charming and intelligent, inventive and at times deceitful. You are able to influence people and are successful at almost anything. Your friends are the Dragon and the Rat but not the Tiger.
Rooster
Birth year 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017. You are proud, eccentric and a little too sure of yourself. You enjoy learning and are not afraid to work. You will be fine with Snakes and Oxen, but Rabbits are trouble.
Dog
Birth year 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018. Dogs are loyal and sincere. You like things to be fair and work well with others. Your friends are the Tiger and the Horse. Watch out for Dragons.
Pig
Birth year 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019. The Pig is the last animal in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. Pigs are brave, noble and chivalrous. You make lifelong friendships. You get along with Rabbits and Goats but must avoid other Pigs.
Xian Nian Kuai Le! / Kung Hei Fat Choi!
